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Showing posts from July, 2024

Transdermal Skin Patches: The Convenient Way to Self-Administer Medication

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Transdermal Skin Patches Transdermal drug delivery, also known as transdermal patches, provides a convenient method for administering medications through the skin and into the bloodstream. Rather than taking a pill or liquid by mouth, transdermal patches empower patients to self-administer drugs through the skin for localized or systemic effects. How Transdermal Skin Patches Work Transdermal patches are manufactured as a discrete dressing containing the active drug. These patches work by using the skin as a transportation system to deliver medication into circulation. They slowly release a specific dose of medication through the inner layer and adhesive side of the patch which is in contact with the skin. The active ingredients in the patch then pass through the layers of the skin and into the bloodstream. Some key features of transdermal patches that enable this drug delivery method include penetration enhancers, rate-controlling membranes, and adhesive matrices. Penetration enhance...

HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer: Treatment Options and Prognosis

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HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. There are different types of breast cancer based on characteristics of the cancer cells. HER2− breast cancer accounts for around 65-70% of all breast cancer cases. In this type of breast cancer, the cancer cells do not overexpress the HER-2 protein which helps in dividing and growing cancer cells rapidly. Knowing the HER-2 status helps determine the best treatment plan and predict prognosis. This article discusses the key aspects of HER2− breast cancer. Types of Breast Cancer Breast cancers are broadly classified into three main types based on the presence of receptors on the cancer cells - hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative. HER2− breast cancer can be either hormone receptor-positive or triple-negative. Hormone receptor-positive HER2− breast cancer Around 50-60% of breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive and do not overexpress the HER-2 protein. This means the...

Data Governance: Critical for Successful Digital Transformation

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Data Governance What is Data Governance? Data governance refers to the overall management of the availability, usability, integrity and security of the data employed by an organization. A robust strategy establishes rules and guidelines regarding how data is handled and used by individuals throughout the company. It ensures data is treated as a valuable corporate asset and guides how data is collected, processed, stored and managed to address issues like privacy, quality, access and security. Establishing Accountability and Ownership For it to be effective, responsibilities and accountabilities must be clearly defined. Leadership must designate individuals and groups that are responsible and accountable for governing specific types of data or domains. This includes defining data owners - the individuals or business units responsible for individual data domains and assets. Data Governance Data owners are responsible for overseeing access controls, data quality, ensuring regulatory co...

Body Armor Plates: Protecting Those Who Protect Us An Overview of Body Armor Plate Technology

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Body Armor Plates The use of armor to protect soldiers and law enforcement from harm dates back centuries. However, it was not until the late 20th century that modern fiber and ceramic-based body armor began to take shape. During the Vietnam War era in the 1960s, the U.S. military began experimenting with new lightweight materials like Kevlar to provide ballistic protection for troops. One of the earliest commercially successful designs was the Flak Jacket, which used layers of nylon covered in small steel plates to stop bomb fragments and rifle rounds. Through the 1980s and 90s, advances in materials science led to the development of polyethylene and ceramic composite armor plates that could better absorb impacts without adding undue bulk or weight. These early plate designs set the stage for the standards used in armor built today. Components and Materials in Modern Body Armor Plates To understand how body plates work, it's important to examine their layered construction. All pl...

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) Is A Rare Chronic Disease

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Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare chronic disease that causes inflammation and scarring in the bile ducts of the liver. The bile ducts are tubes that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile is necessary for digesting fats. When the bile ducts are damaged, bile builds up in the liver, causing scarring over time. This scarring is called fibrosis and can eventually lead to cirrhosis or liver failure if left untreated. Causes and Risk Factors of PSC The exact cause of PSC is unknown, but it is considered an autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. Researchers believe genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of PSC. Some potential risk factors include: - Family history: PSC sometimes runs in families, indicating a genetic component. Having a close relative with PSC increases one's own risk. - Inflammatory bowel disease: About ...

Understanding the Benefits of UV Lamp

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 UV Lamp What are Black light? Ultraviolet (UV) lamps emit ultraviolet light, which is a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than those of visible light, but longer than X-rays. UV light cannot be seen by the human eye, but some species of insects and birds have been shown to perceive its effects. There are three main types of Black light based on the wavelengths they produce - UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA Lamps UVA lamps emit long-wave ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 315-400 nm. They are commonly used for curing nail polish, cosmetic treatments like gel manicures, and tanning beds, as UVA light moderately penetrates the outer layer of human skin. Prolonged exposure can cause premature skin aging and increase risks of skin cancer over time. However, controlled use of UVA lamps under medical supervision has benefits such as treatment of certain skin conditions like psoriasis. UVB Lamps UVB lamps emit mid-wave ultraviolet light ranging from 280-315 nm ...

The Rise of System on a Chip (SoC) Technology in Today's Electronics

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System on a Chip (SoC)  What is a System on a Chip? A System on a Chip (SoC), is an integrated circuit that includes all the components of a computer or other electronic system. Modern SoCs typically contain Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), memory blocks including random access memory (RAM), flash memory, various interconnection hardware, timing sources, and numerous digital, mixed-signal, and RF peripherals. All of these components are included on a single chip, greatly reducing the size and cost of any electronic device. Advantages of SoCs By integrating all the necessary components of a computing system onto a single chip, SoCs provide numerous advantages over discrete component systems. Some key benefits include: Reduced Size and Weight: With all components located on a single chip, SoCs consume much less space than equivalent systems constructed from separate ICs. This miniaturization allows for smaller, more compact, and highly portable devices. Lower Power Consumption: S...

Understanding Stingray Devices and Their Impact on Law Enforcement Surveillance

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Stingray Devices What is it? A Stingray device, also known as an IMSI catcher, is a surveillance device used by law enforcement to track the location and identity of cell phones and intercept their communications. The Stingray mimics cell towers and forces nearby phones to connect to it rather than a legitimate cell tower. This allows the operator of the Stingray to obtain subscriber identity information and location details of devices connecting to it. How do it Work? Stingray Devices  work by exploiting flaws in cellular communication protocols. When a phone turns on, it scans the area to find the strongest cell tower signal and connects to it. This allows the phone to make and receive calls and use data services. Stingrays take advantage of this process by broadcasting a stronger simulated cell tower signal than legitimate towers in the area. Phones grab on and connect to the Stingray instead, revealing their identities and locations. The Stingray then acts as a go-between, ...

Understanding Phishing With Phishing Simulators

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Phishing Simulators What is Phishing? Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where attackers try to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, etc. by masquerading as a trustworthy entity through electronic communication channels like emails or websites. The main goal of phishing attacks is to steal people's identity for various malicious purposes such as fraud, spreading malware, or accessing private systems. Types of Phishing Attacks There are different types of phishing attacks that are commonly used by cybercriminals: Spear Phishing Spear phishing targets specific individuals, groups, or organizations using personalized messages. Attackers do in-depth research on their targets to make the phishing content and delivery seem highly legitimate. Clone Phishing Clone phishing involves sending spam or phishing emails that closely mimic authentic emails from known senders in order to steal login credentials or money. Attackers disguis...

Consumers Increasingly Rely on Over-the-Counter Medications for Minor Health Issues

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OTC Consumer Health The Growing Popularity and reliance of OTC Medications Over-the-counter (OTC) medications have become increasingly relied upon by consumers to treat minor health complaints and illnesses. These drugs are available for purchase without a prescription from a doctor, allowing people to easily access medications for common conditions from their local pharmacy or shop. As consumers have become more health-conscious and frustrated with long wait times at doctors' offices, OTC drugs have provided a convenient alternative to prescription medications. A report published by a leading market research firm found sales of OTC Consumer Health  medications have been steadily rising over the past decade. In 2020 alone, over $30 billion was spent on OTC drugs in the United States. Cough/cold remedies, pain relievers, digestive aids and allergy medications make up the majority of OTC sales. The report attributed the growth to an aging population and a desire for self-care and tr...

Estrogen Blockers: Decoding the Role and Mechanisms of Estrogen obstacle in Hormone Therapy

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Estrogen Blockers What are Estrogen Blockers? Estrogen obstacle, also known as antiestrogen medications or endocrine therapies, are a class of drugs that work by blocking the effects of the hormone estrogen in the body. There are different types of Estrogen obstacle that work through different mechanisms, but their main purpose is to prevent estrogen from binding to and activating estrogen receptors in tissues like the breast. By blocking estrogen's activity, these medications can slow or stop the growth of estrogen receptor-positive cancers like breast cancer. Types of Estrogen Blockers Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) SERMs are a type of Estrogen Blockers that act as either estrogen agonists or antagonists depending on the tissue. One of the best known SERMs is tamoxifen, which is commonly used to treat and prevent breast cancer. In breast tissue, tamoxifen blocks the effects of estrogen but has estrogenic effects elsewhere in the body like the bones and uterus....